2014 Hyundai Elantra Limited on 2040-cars

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Woman executive of South Korea's Hyundai Motor resigns amid #MeToo wave

SEOUL — A female executive of South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor has resigned after being accused of pressuring female subordinates to pour drinks for, and dance with, senior male members of staff, the Yonhap news agency said on Tuesday. The global #MeToo movement has accelerated in South Korea since January, spawning accusations of sexual misconduct and prosecution investigations of prominent figures. Fear of reprisal has made South Koreans traditionally wary of being whistleblowers over harassment at family-run conglomerates that dominate the economy, with open accusations of this type far outnumbered by anonymous posts on the subject. Yonhap, citing Hyundai Motor, said a female employee had made the accusation while preparing to leave the company, saying the woman executive had pressured her female subordinates to attend a drinking party with senior men and pour drinks. She also accused the executive of pressuring the women to dance with men at a karaoke session, and said the men were in positions that could influence the female executive's position in the corporation, Yonhap reported. In a statement, Hyundai Motor said media reports on the issue did not reflect its views and policies. "We will take appropriate actions on any irregularities or breaches by individuals within the company that do not ensure equality in the workplace," it said, declining further comment. Neither Hyundai Motor nor the news agency identified the executive. Hyundai Motor had three female executives among its total of 298 executives by the end of 2017, regulatory filings show. Reporting by Joyce Lee.Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Image Credit: REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji Government/Legal Hirings/Firings/Layoffs Hyundai resignation

Redesigned 2019 Hyundai Tucson gets modest price bump

Hyundai says its refreshed 2019 Tucson is now hitting showrooms with a starting price of $24,245, including destination charge. That's a $700 bump up from the outgoing model, though Hyundai is currently offering a $2,500 discount on the 2018 model when purchased through Oct. 31, according to its retail website. For 2019, Hyundai gave the midsize Tucson crossover updates inside and out. There are redesigned front and rear fascias, including Hyundai's latest cascading grille, redesigned 17-, 18- and 19-inch wheels, and more advanced safety technology. All trim levels get Hyundai's SmartSense package, which includes forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist and driver attention warning. Electronic parking brake with auto vehicle hold and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are standard across all trim levels as well. View 14 Photos The optional 1.6-liter turbo-four engine is gone, replaced by a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter that makes 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque for the higher SEL, Sport and Limited trims. The base SE and Value trim models get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 164 hp and 151 lb-ft. Both are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Inside, there are new designs for the center stack, cluster, panel vent and leather seats. The range tops out at $32,595 for the Limited with the Unlimited package in front-wheel-drive, or $33,995 for all-wheel-drive. The package adds features including pedestrian detection safety technology, high-beam assist, panoramic sunroof, ventilated front and heated rear seats and smart cruise control with stop and go. Related Video: Image Credit: Hyundai Hyundai Safety Crossover hyundai tucson

Hyundai CVVD engine brings another dimension to valve timing

A new technology from Hyundai Motor Group places another marker on the march to more efficient internal combustion engines. Called Continuously Variable Valve Duration, the innovation permits two options for how long the intake valves remain open during the combustion cycle. The feature adds a third take on valve chicanery, atop variable valve timing that changes when valves open, and variable valve lift that changes how far valves open. Hyundai says the feature returns a 4% improvement in performance, a 5% increase in fuel economy, and lowers emissions by 12%. Hyundai applied for two patents on the valvetrain process in South Korea in 2011 and again in 2015. The altered valve duration in this latest iteration is made possible by two movable arms inside the camshaft. Each arm is anchored at its base to a pin at the center of the camshaft, while the end of each arm extends toward the edge of the camshaft. Changing the position of the pin in the center of the camshaft changes the angle of the arms relative to one another, which moves the camshaft along its mounting rod. Voila, a new intake cam profile that either lengthens or shortens valve overlap.   During low-speed spells at low load, CVVD opens the intake valve from the middle to the end of compression stroke. The weaker detonation isn't a factor at low load, and the reduced friction during compression improves fuel economy. During heavy engine loads, the intake valve closes at the beginning of the compression stroke to maximize the amount of air mixed for detonation, boosting torque. Four additional features enhance the benefits of CVVD. A more powerful direct injection system increases fuel spray pressure from 250 bar to 350 bar. Hyundai doesn't go into details on its Integrated Thermal Management System, but says the ITMS "quickly heats or cools the engine to the optimal temperature." Low-friction components lower overall engine friction by 34 percent. And a low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation layout diverts low-pressure exhaust gas from the traditional EGR route to the turbocharger compressor under high load for better fuel efficiency.   The first engine to boast the new tech is the Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi four-cylinder, which produces 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. It will appear in the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Turbo going on sale in South Korea later this year.